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four female computers at Woomera
  • Event series
  • Out of this World programs and events

Human Computers

Friday 1 August 2025

Free, bookings essential

AGSA Start Art Book Club
  • Event

Start Art Book Club

An art and literature adventure

Sunday 3 August 2025
Sunday 5 October 2025
Sunday 7 December 2025

Free, booking required

Original books that commenced the State Library's collection
  • Event

Tuesday Talks: Books in my life with Jo Case

Presented by the Friends of the State Library

Tuesday 5 August 2025

Free, booking required

Three boys playing with a remote controlled robot
  • Event series
  • Out of this World programs and events

J.U.M.P. Challenge

Presented by the Australian Space Discovery Centre

Thursday 7 August and Monday 8 September 2025

Free, booking required

Frontier medicines
  • Event

Book launch: Frontier Medicine

by Margaret Boult

Thursday 7 August 2025

Free, bookings essential

Poetry as Medicine Panel SA
  • Event series
  • Writers SA Winter Program

Poetry as medicine: Panel and performance

Presented by Writers SA

Sunday 10 August 2025

Free, booking required

Emerita Professor Fay Gale AO
  • Event series
  • Talking History

Talking History: South Australia's arts and crafts

Presented by History Trust of South Australia

Tuesday 12 August 2025

Free, booking required

Queen's Head Hotel
  • Event series
  • Stories from the Stacks

Having a quiet one

Stories of pubs in the city, North Adelaide and Port Adelaide

Tuesday 19 August 2025

Free, bookings essential

North Terrace B-41710
  • Event

Proximity Round - Brian Parkes

Presented by the Friends of the State Library

Tuesday 19 August 2025

$10.00 per person
Bookings required

Book an Adventure
  • Event

Hip hip hooray! It's a Birthday Book Adventure

The Children’s Book Council of Australia turns 80

Saturday 23 August 2025

Free, bookings not required

Centre of Democracy door
  • Event

A talk on truth, reality and AI

Presented by History Trust of South Australia

Tuesday 26 August 2025

Free, booking required

James Phelan workshop
  • Event series
  • Writers SA Winter Program

Anatomy of a Thriller

Presented by Writers SA

Sunday 31 August 2025

$140.00 per person
Bookings required

Tours hosted by our Ambassadors 

Immerse yourself in South Australia's heritage with a tour through our buildings and exhibitions.

Learn about our services and hear stories of people and events that helped shape life in South Australia.

Find out more about our private group tours for more than ten people.

Keep up to date with What's On at the state library

What's on nearby

'Place of creation' by Elisabeth Butterworth

Friends of the State Library

From all walks of life, the Friends have supported the State Library of South Australia (SLSA) with a tradition of cultural philanthropy over eight decades, to enrich and promote its collections and treasures for scholarly and public interest.

Centre of Democracy, interior image of the exhibition space.

Centre of Democracy

Discover the people and ideas that have shaped democracy in South Australia, and the power of your voice in it. 

Open daily with free admission, the Centre of Democracy is located in the Institute Building, corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue.

Rosa Fiveash, Billy Buttons on a cushion in the Redbubble shop.

Shop for gifts

Looking for that bespoke gift for someone special or something for your home?

Explore our online gift store featuring items from the State Library’s collections, and find a range of products, including home décor, wall art, stationery, clothing, bags, and more.

Plan your visit

How do I get to the State Library by public transport?

The 'State Library, Art Gallery, Museum' tram-stop is just outside the State Library. There are bus stops close by, near the War Memorial on North Terrace. The closest train station is the Adelaide city station on North Terrace.

You can plan your journey via Adelaide Metro.

Is there car parking near the State Library?

The nearest car park is Wilson's Adelaide Central car park, 225 North Terrace, next to David Jones.

There is paid (metered) street parking along Kintore Ave and Victoria Drive.

Where is the wheelchair and stroller access?

Access to the Spence Wing first floor and the Mortlock Chamber is via the lift in the glass foyer entrance of the library.

There is on-street disabled parking available on the nearby roads. View more information and maps of Adelaide City Council's Disability parking for permit holders.

How do I check if the Mortlock Chamber is open when I plan to visit?

The Mortlock Chamber may close for private events, check our opening hours for any closure times.

When it is open you can visit the Mortlock Chamber on the ground floor to look at the exhibition bays.  The upper levels of the Mortlock Wing include quiet study areas.

Is there a cafe at the State Library?

Yes, the State Library Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 12 to 4pm.

Find out more about the cafe and resident organisations at the State Library.